How to UNDO a "remove from Lightroom" command?

[Sandra_Student]

Just upgraded to a new Windows 11 computer.  During the move to the new machine Lightroom (V13.4) grabbed a bunch of folders (such as My Documents, My Videos, etc) that shouldn't be in Lightroom (I have no idea why these folders ended up in Lightroom - but that is beside the point (obviously I did something screwy).  To get rid of those extra folders  - I used the command "Remove From Lightroom" on all the folders that shouldn't be in Lightroom.  In the process ALL 30,000 photos that were supposed to be in Lightroom were removed as well.  How do I get the photos that should be in Lightroom BACK into my catalog?  Is there such a thing as an undo "Remove from Lightroom command" ??? 

A few points...

• The images still exist - they just are no longer in Lightroom. (if I somehow get them back into Lightroom - will I lose all my edits and collections?
• I do have a recent back up on the current V 13.4 catalog
• I have a catalog from a prior version of Lightroom V13.0 catalog  (I tried this but Lightroom wants to upgrade the catalog to V13.4-2 - yikes -  so I stopped)

Thank you to this group of bright minds!!!

[GoldingD · Accepted solution]

I do have a recent back up on the current V 13.4 catalog

Here is one way, others exists, and variations on this exist:

1. Close LrC if running
2. Bring up your Windows File Explorer (your File Manager)
3. Rename or move the current catalog that no longer has those images in it.
4. Copy the Backup catalog to the location the damaged catalog is/was in
5. Decompress (unzip) the backup catalog you just copied.
6. Double click on that catalog.

Just upgraded to a new Windows 11 computer.

Not your issue or about your inquiry, but..

When you created your user account for that Windows Computer. Did you accept the very assertive Microsoft insistence on using or creating a MS account, or did you manage to create and use a Local Account?

If you are using a MS account, then you will have OneDrive forced upon you. Oh, you may want to use OneDrive, But you will want to be in control of that. Despite perhaps one member thinking OneDrive and LrC are a pairing made in Heaven, many of us thin it was made in Hell.

The issue is that your catalog will be sync'd to OneDrive. it may in fact actually be on OneDrive. This will be the case if you placed that catalog in one of the Windows System User folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and a few other) the Pictures folder being common for LrC catalogs, And in LrC /Help/System Info/, you will see that the catalog is in:

Library Path: C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom.lrcat

Highly recommend relocating such a catalog to a very different folder that you create, perhaps MyPhotos, or Lightroom, or

Rumpelstiltskin, Grumpy Gremlins, anything other than Pictures.

many memebrs that have a Library Path like that above containing the reference to OneDrive, wind up having headaches.

[Sandra_Student]

That's exactly the right fix.  Thank you GoldingD!    I'd never used a backup before - although I certainally make them on a regular basis.  Easy (following your instructions)!

With regard to ONEDRIVE - yes, you are exactly right.  Windows 11 is VERY AGGRESSIVE when it comes to pushing me to install and operate everything out of ONEDRIVE.  I do NOT want my photos / catalog on ONEDRIVE.  In fact, I don't want to use ONEDRIVE for anything ... I really have to pay attention to NOT file things (all file types) in/on ONEDRIVE.

As you predicted... ONEDRIVE automatically opened a new LR catalog in ONEDRIVE (C drive).  

• I didn't open that new LR ONEDRIVE catalog, but instead opened my old LR catalog (after a few attempts) on a new D  drive (where I file all my documents and photos, catalogs, etc)

• Can I just delete the ONEDRIVE Lightroom Catalog???
• Can I turn ONEDRIVE off all together?

I have another question re: 2 drives on my desktop (C and D) and 2 catalogs (both on D) .... but I'll start a new message since it is a new topic.  Hope you and your bright friends will stick with me 🙂

Thank you!!!

[dj_paige]

During the move to the new machine Lightroom (V13.4) grabbed a bunch of folders (such as My Documents, My Videos, etc) that shouldn't be in Lightroom (I have no idea why these folders ended up in Lightroom - but that is beside the point (obviously I did something screwy).

Were you doing an Import or Synchronize Folder? Importing is not a part of a move to another computer. Synch folder is not a part of a move to another computer.

To use the backup of your LrC catalog, see: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/restore-backups/

To move your Lightroom Classic to a new computer, see: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-move-lightroom-to-new-computer/